SINGAPORE: Several Singapore leaders, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, have penned condolence letters to Cindy McCain, wife of the late US senator John McCain. McCain died on Saturday (Aug 25) at the age of 81 after battling brain cancer.In a letter dated Aug 26 addressed to Mrs McCain, Mr Lee said that both he and his wife are "deeply saddened" to learn about McCain's death, adding that the late senator was a "true hero"."His strength in adversity, moral fortitude, and courageous acts of patriotic service to his country were a model for us all," wrote Mr Lee. "He was also a great friend of Singapore, visiting regularly over the years, and was an outspoken and unstinting supporter of the United States’ continued presence in the Asia-Pacific."Mr Lee also reminisced on his past encounters with McCain, adding that he would remember his "wise words of counsel"."Senator McCain has left an indelible legacy, and will be remembered as a man of principle … [Read more...] about Singapore leaders pen condolences to wife of late US senator John McCain

SINGAPORE: Singapore leaders have written to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer their condolences over the death of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.The three-time Indian prime minister died on Thursday (Aug 16), sparking tributes from across the political spectrum.President Halimah Yacob wrote to Mr Kovind while Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong wrote to Mr Modi in separate letters dated Aug 17 to extend their condolences.In her letter, Mdm Halimah said that Mr Vajpayee played an "instrumental role" in transforming India’s economy."With his far-sighted leadership, Mr Vajpayee played an instrumental role in transforming India’s economy, as well as strengthening India’s standing in the region and the world," she said. "He also oversaw a period of strong growth in Singapore-India relations, particularly in economic … [Read more...] about Singapore leaders send condolences after death of former India prime minister Vajpayee

JAKARTA - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will meet on Oct 11 in Bali for their third Leaders' Retreat in as many years, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. DPM Teo, who is on a three-day working visit to Indonesia, was speaking to the media on Wednesday (July 18) after meeting Vice-President Jusuf Kalla. "I had a very good meeting with Vice-President Jusuf Kalla," said DPM Teo before revealing the date and venue of the upcoming retreat. Bali is also where the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank meetings will take place from Oct 12 to 14. The Indonesia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat is a long-held tradition in which leaders of the two close neighbours meet informally each year to boost ties. President Joko, who took office in October 2014, hosted his first retreat with PM Lee in Semarang, in Central Java, in 2016. Last year, the two countries marked 50 years of bilateral relations during the second Leaders Retreat in … [Read more...] about Third Indonesia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat will be in Bali on Oct 11, says DPM Teo Chee Hean

SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will visit Paris next month and take part in the French National Day parade as guest of honour - the first such distinction granted to a Singapore leader. The visit will reaffirm excellent bilateral relations and commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) undergoing advanced jet training in France's Cazaux Air Base, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday (June 29). This is the first time a Singapore Prime Minister will be guest of honour at the annual parade on July 14, also known as the Bastille Day parade, which marks the storming of the Bastille in 1798 during the French Revolution. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan will also attend this year's parade as guest of honour, as Japan marks 160 years of diplomatic ties with France. Last year, United States President Donald Trump was the parade's guest of honour. The parade this year will feature a France-Singapore combined flypast. Soldiers bearing … [Read more...] about PM Lee to be guest of honour at French National Day, in first such distinction for a Singapore leader